Hospice Running Costs and Why your Support Matters
At St Mary’s Hospice, we pride ourselves on providing compassionate, expert care completely free of charge to patients and their families. But what many people don’t realise is just how much we rely on the kindness of our community to make that possible.
How Your Support Helps
Despite the vital role hospices play in the healthcare system, only around 17% of our funding comes from the Government. To put it in perspective: if we started spending our Government funding on January 1st, it would run out by mid-March.
That means eight out of every ten patients cared for by St Mary’s are supported thanks to voluntary income—the generosity of people who donate, eat at the Orangery, shop with us, play our lottery, support events, or leave us gifts in their wills. It’s also thanks to local businesses who back our work, fundraise, or partner with us to make a lasting impact.
This community-driven funding model has kept us going for decades, but the financial outlook is becoming increasingly challenging. For the current financial year (2025–2026), we are forecasting a deficit of £560,000—and that’s just to maintain our current level of care. Over the next three years, we may need to draw almost £2 million from our reserves to continue serving those who rely on us.
At the same time, we serve a population that is older than the national average. With a ‘super-ageing’ community, demand for end-of-life and palliative care is only expected to grow. While we currently hold healthy reserves and remain in a stronger financial position than many other independent hospices in the UK, this level of loss is not sustainable in the long term.
That’s why we’re taking action on three fronts:
Boosting Charitable Income
By exploring new ways to raise funds and deepening our connection with loyal supporters like you.
Becoming
More
Efficient
By continuously reviewing how we deliver our services to ensure maximum impact.
Advocating
for
Change
Working with organisations like Hospice UK to call for a fairer funding model for hospice care nationally.
Every single donation you make is spent with purpose. Every penny goes directly into patient care or into activities that generate further income for the hospice. And for every £1 we spend on fundraising, we raise at least £4.50 in return.
So when you support St Mary’s—whether by making a donation, attending an event, playing our lottery, or simply buying a cuppa at the Orangery—you are directly funding expert, life-changing care for people in our community.
We’re here for local people thanks to local people. And with your continued support, we’ll be here for generations to come.
Our annual audited accounts are also available to view on the Charity Commission’s website, simply go to www.charitycommission.gov.uk/find-charities/and search for the Hospice of St Mary of Furness
Registered Charity Number: 517738
Need More Information?
If you’d like to know more about the costs of running the hospice or how your support makes a difference, we’d love to hear from you – please get in touch.
Donate to St Mary’s Hospice Today
Donate to St Mary’s today and help us continue our vital work. Your support funds essential services, community outreach, and preservation efforts. Every contribution makes a difference.
